MRI: Development of a Mobile Thermodynamic and Dynamic Profiling Facility for the Atmospheric Boundary Layer

这项主要研究仪器奖的努力将支持一个独特的移动的热力学和动力学分析系统的气象和工程研究的发展。 这一便携式平台将结合联合收割机：（1）一个被动遥感大气辐射干涉仪;（2）一个微波辐射仪;（3）一个地面气象系统，包括一个可展开天线杆上的标准气象和湍流传感器。 这些部件将与俄克拉荷马大学提供的现有多普勒测风激光雷达（光探测和测距系统）集成，该雷达适用于移动的使用，以便通过距离-高度型扫描提供云底、光学薄云特征和气流观测。 这些观测将通过与现有的移动的探测系统合用同一地点定期进行现场无线电探空仪测量加以补充。 这一发展将是独一无二的，因为被动红外和微波辐射计以前从未在一个移动的观测系统中结合起来。 此外，协同的机会存在，以改善温度和湿度检索从这些测量的组合沿着与激光雷达规范的云底高度。 科学家、工程师、学生和一名技术人员将共同设计、测试和实施这个移动的平台，并根据旅行需要加强系统。 必要时将采用预热/温度控制，以促进快速部署，潜在的电磁干扰问题也将得到解决。 还将开发一个通用的软件显示、分析和强大的数据储存系统，该系统综合了远程通信能力，这一努力的知识价值将来自提高更充分地描述对流前环境和雷暴形成、边界层和城市气象过程中所涉及的有关中尺度动力学的能力，以及通过对数据同化的贡献，了解区域气候，并改善传感器协同作用。 更广泛的影响将包括大量扩展NSF低层大气观测设施部署库中已经存在的能力，对最近国家研究理事会报告中确定的关键大气研究目标的贡献，对高影响天气事件数值模拟的潜在改进，本科生和研究生阶段的实践和课堂教育（包括NSF支持的本科生研究经验计划的参与者），以及教育和支持研究中代表性不足的群体的参与。

This Major Research Instrumentation award effort will support development of a unique mobile thermodynamic and dynamic profiling system for meteorological and engineering research. This portable platform will combine (1) a passive remote-sensing Atmospheric Emitted Radiance Interferometer; (2) a microwave radiometer; and (3) a surface meteorological system, including both standard meteorological and turbulence sensors on a deployable mast. These components will be integrated with an existing University of Oklahoma-provided Doppler wind lidar (light detection and ranging system) adapted for mobile use so as to provide observations of cloud base, characteristics of optically-thin clouds, and airflow via range-height type scanning. These observations are to be supplemented by periodic in-situ radiosonde measurements via co-location of existing mobile sounding systems. This development will be unique, as passive-infrared and microwave radiometers have not been previously combined in a mobile observing system. Moreover, synergistic opportunities exist to improve temperature and humidity retrievals from combination of these measurements along with lidar specification of cloud base height. Scientists, engineers, students and a technician will work together to design, test and implement this mobile platform and harden systems as required for travel. Preheating/temperature controls will be incorporated as necessary to foster rapid deployment, and potential electromagnetic interference issues will also be addressed. A common software display, analysis and robust data storage system that integrates remote communication capabilities will also be developed.The Intellectual Merit of this effort will come through improvements in the ability to more fully characterize of the pre-convective environment and relevant mesoscale dynamics involved in thunderstorm formation, boundary layer and urban meteorological processes, as well as through contributions to data assimilation, understanding of regional climate, and improved sensor synergies. Broader Impacts will include substantial extension of capabilities already resident in NSF's lower atmosphere observing facility deployment pool, contributions toward key atmospheric research objectives identified in recent National Research Council reports, potential improvements to numerical simulation of high-impact weather events, both hands-on and classroom education of students at undergraduate and graduate levels (including participants in an NSF-supported Research Experiences for Undergraduates program), and involvement of underrepresented groups in both education and supported research.